Patent Application
20050166472
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for securing a flexible liner to a liquid containment structure. More particularly, the present invention method and apparatus relate to securing a flexible liner around an opening in a swimming pool, for example, an opening around swimming pool stairs. The invention can be used with new or existing liquid containment structures.
A variety of methods and apparatus for securing a liner in a liquid containment structure are known in the art. For example, methods and apparatus are known for securing a swimming pool liner around a module, such as a set of stairs.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,501 (Kwake) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner to a pool wall. The apparatus comprises a groove in the pool wall. The liner comprises an expanded bead around the perimeter of the liner. The bead is inserted into the groove to secure the liner within the pool. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,071 (Hoch et al.) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner around the edge of an above-ground pool. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,162 (Hall) discloses a deck for an in-ground or aboveground pool that receives around the perimeter of the pool a plastic liner attached to a metal liner. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,732 (Engelhart) discloses an apparatus for securing an anchoring device in a lined pool. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,118 (Lankheet) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner to the edge of an in-ground pool. The apparatus comprises a groove around the edge of the pool. The liner comprises a bead around the perimeter of the liner. The bead is inserted in the groove to secure the liner around the edge of the pool. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,839 (Blakeway) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner comprising vinyl-covered steel sheet around the edge of an in-ground pool. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a flexible liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,658 (Hodak) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner around the edge of an in-ground pool. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,324 (Lankheet) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner to the edge of an in-ground pool. The apparatus comprises a groove around the edge of the pool. The liner comprises a bead around the perimeter of the liner. The bead is inserted in the groove to secure the liner around the edge of the pool. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,228 (Gardenier) discloses a device for securing a pool liner to a set of stairs in an in-ground pool. The device comprises a strip that is screwed to the stairs over the liner. This device requires drilling holes in the liner. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,710 (Swinburn) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner around the edge of an above-ground pool using a groove and bead and penetrating the liner around an opening for a spa jet. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,706 (Barnes) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner to a drain fitting. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,631 (Friedman) discloses an apparatus for securing a liner to the edge of an in-ground pool. The apparatus comprises a groove around the edge of the pool. The liner comprises a bead around the perimeter of the liner. The bead is inserted in the groove to secure the liner around the edge of the pool. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,098 (Crelin) discloses a device for securing a pool liner to a set of stairs in an in-ground pool. The device comprises a strip that is screwed to the stairs over the liner. This device requires drilling holes in the liner. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to secure a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member.
What is needed then is a means of securing, in a liquid containment structure, a liner around a module, such as a set of stairs, using a coupling member that will not require puncturing the liner as part of its installation.
In a first embodiment, the present invention broadly comprises an apparatus for securing a liner to a liquid containment structure further comprising a mounting member operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to a surface of the structure and an attaching member operatively arranged to matingly engage the mounting member, sandwiching the liner therebetween. In a second embodiment, the invention broadly comprises an apparatus for securing a liner in a liquid containment structure, comprising a flange arranged proximate a surface of the containment structure, a mounting member operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to the flange, and an attaching member operatively arranged to matingly engage the mounting member, sandwiching the liner therebetween. The present invention also comprises an apparatus for repairing a liner in a liquid containment structure.
The invention also broadly comprises a method of securing a liner to a liquid containment structure, comprising the steps of fixedly securing a mounting member to a surface of the structure, positioning the liner atop the mounting member, and securing an attaching member atop the liner in engagement with the mounting member. In another embodiment, the invention broadly comprises a method of securing a liner in a liquid containment structure, comprising the steps of arranging a flange proximate a surface of the liquid containment structure, fixedly securing a mounting member to the flange, positioning the liner atop the mounting member, and securing an attaching member atop the liner in engagement with the mounting member. Finally, the invention comprises a method for repairing a liner in a liquid containment structure.
A general object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method to secure a liner to a surface of the structure without puncturing the liner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method to secure a liner to a flange of a module installed in a liquid containment structure without puncturing the liner.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method to repair a liner attached to a surface of the structure without puncturing the liner.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method to repair a liner attached to a flange of a module installed in a liquid containment structure without puncturing the liner.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings and claims.
The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify substantially identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.
The present invention apparatus broadly comprises a mounting member operatively arranged to be secured to either a surface of a liquid containment structure or a flange of a module installed in a structure and an attaching member operatively arranged to matingly engage the mounting member. A flexible liner placed between the mounting and attaching members is sandwiched by the mounting and attaching members when these two members are engaged.
Adverting now to the drawings,
Liner 140 is stretched over mounting member 230. Attaching member 150 with pressing surface 151 and outside surface 152 is laid over liner 140. Surface 151 is shaped to connect to gripping surface 231. Force is applied to outside surface 152 in the direction of mounting member 230, joining the mounting and attaching members. Once members 230 and 150 are connected, surfaces 231 and 151 are held in close proximity. To accomplish this, surfaces 231 and 151 interlock or snap together. Possible configurations of gripping surface 231 and pressing surface 151 are further described below.
Once connected, members 230 and 150 sandwich liner 140 and securely grip liner 140 between surfaces 231 and 151, respectively. Advantageously, members 230 and 150 grip liner 140 without puncturing the liner. That is, because surfaces 231 and 151 interlock, there is no need to puncture liner 140 to attach member 150 to member 230 using mechanical fasteners. In addition, advantageously, a liquid-tight seal is formed between liner 140 and member 150. The present invention also advantageously avoids the use of adhesives on liner 140.
To accommodate mechanical fasteners, mounting member 230 includes a series of holes 233. Two parallel rows of holes 233 are shown in
Once connected, members 330 and 150 sandwich liner 140 and securely grip liner 140 between surfaces 331 and 151, respectively. Advantageously, members 330 and 150 grip liner 140 without puncturing the liner. That is, because surfaces 331 and 151 interlock, there is no need to puncture liner 140 to attach member 150 to member 330 using mechanical fasteners. In addition, advantageously, a liquid-tight seal is formed between liner 140 and member 150. The present invention also advantageously avoids the use of adhesives on liner 140.
The following discussion should be considered in light of both
To facilitate the interlocking of member 150 with mounting members 230 and 330, attaching member 150 is typically formed of elastic material and mounting members 230 and 330 are typically formed of a relatively rigid material. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other combinations of elastic and relatively rigid materials are possible, and such combinations are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. Typically, the flexible material is a plastic with UV and chlorine resistance. Plastics of this type are well known in the art. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other flexible materials are possible, and such materials are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. The rigid material can be plastic or metal. Typically, the rigid plastic has UV and chlorine resistance and is of a type well known in the art. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other rigid materials are possible, and such materials are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
Returning to
Returning to
Once connected, members 530 and 150 sandwich liner 140 and securely grip liner 140 between surfaces 531 and 151, respectively. Advantageously, members 530 and 150 grip liner 140 without puncturing the liner. That is, because surfaces 531 and 151 interlock, there is no need to puncture liner 140 to attach member 150 to member 530 using mechanical fasteners. In addition, advantageously, a liquid-tight seal is formed between liner 140 and member 150. The present invention also advantageously avoids the use of adhesives on liner 140.
Mounting member 530 can be affixed to side 212 using a variety of means including adhesion (not shown) and mechanical fasteners. The type of adhesive used depends on the materials used to form side 212 and member 530 and is readily known to those skilled in the art. To accommodate mechanical fasteners, mounting member 530 includes a series of holes 533. Two parallel rows of holes 533 are shown in
Once connected, members 630 and 150 sandwich liner 140 and securely grip liner 140 between surfaces 631 and 151, respectively. Advantageously, members 630 and 150 grip liner 140 without puncturing the liner. That is, because surfaces 631 and 151 interlock, there is no need to puncture liner 140 to attach member 150 to member 630 using mechanical fasteners. In addition, advantageously, a liquid-tight seal is formed between liner 140 and member 150. The present invention also advantageously avoids the use of adhesives on liner 140.
The following discussion should be considered in light of
Mounting members 530 and 630, respectively, and attaching member 150 in
The following should be considered in light of
In the preceding figures, the present invention is described with respect to a swimming pool. However, the present invention can be used with other recreational liquid containment structures, such as an in-ground swimming pool, an aboveground swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a spa, or a hot tub. It should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to only these examples of recreational liquid containment structures, and other examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. In the preceding figures, the present invention is described with respect to a side of a swimming pool. However, in general, the present invention can be applied to any surface of a liquid containment structure or to a flange arranged proximate any surface of a structure, for example, a bottom surface. In the preceding figures, the present invention is described with respect to a stairway module. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be used with other modules, such as drain covers, jet returns, skimmer covers, overflow vents, or vacuum covers and that use with these other modules is within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
The present invention has been described in the context of securing a liner for a liquid containment structure as part of an installation of a module, such as a stairway module, in the liquid containment structure. However, returning to
Returning to
Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
